Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Fabaceae

Genus:

Sophora

Species:

Sophora chrysophylla

USDA Symbol:

SOCH

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub , Tree

Height:

1500 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec

Bloom Colors:

yellow

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, native bees

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from roots and trunk after fire. Historically common in fire-prone dry forests and subalpine shrublands of Hawaii.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

well-drained volcanic or rocky soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to Hawaiian dry forests and shrublands

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Germination Time:

14–60 days

Notes:

Hard seed coat requires scarification (mechanical or hot water treatment). Germination improves significantly after nicking or soaking in hot water.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI